2020/11/10 by Melissa Mulraney, Cindy Lee, Gary L. Freed +6
Business, Management and Accounting · Health Professions · Medicine · #Emergency and Acute Care Studies #Healthcare Operations and Scheduling Optimization #Healthcare Systems and Technology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/jpc.15253
openalex publication_date 2020/11/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
AIM: To determine: (i) wait times and out-of-pocket costs for children attending private specialists for initial mental health appointments; and (ii) whether these differed between specialists working in metropolitan versus rural areas and in low, medium and high socio-economic areas. METHODS: Prospective secret shopper study whereby a researcher posed as a parent seeking an appointment for her child with anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We contacted 317 private paediatrician, psychiatrist and psychologist practices in Victoria and South Australia between 12 March and 5 May 2019. RESULTS: One third (29.8%) of private practices were closed to new referrals. The average wait times for paediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists were 44, 41 and 34 days, respectively. Average out-of-pocket costs quoted were AU120 for paediatricians, AU176 for psychiatrists and AU85 for psychologists. CONCLUSION: Parents face extensive wait times and substantial out-of-pocket costs when seeking private mental health services for their child.